Kennebunk Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty checkin’ in. We’re lookin’ at Kennebunk Beach, and I gotta be honest – it’s a rough stretch. This whole 16-day window is pretty much a write-off for any decent surf.

The water temp’s a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, sittin’ around 68°F back on the 16th, but that’s the only good news. The pattern from here on out is flat, weak, and mostly messy.

The only break on the map is Kennebunk Beach. This is an intermediate spot that’s fairly consistent when there’s swell, but it’s sheltered, so it needs the right angle from the ENE. That angle just ain’t showin’ up with any power.

The first record is Sunday afternoon, August 16th: a measly 1ft of SE swell with a 9-second period, and a SSE cross-breeze messin’ it up. The combined swell energy is only 12 – that’s a ripple. No good.

Monday the 17th gives us a bit more size – about 4ft – but it’s a short-period 5-second S swell with a cross-onshore wind. Choppy, ugly. Tuesday the 18th morning is the cleanest of the first week: a light NE offshore wind with a 4ft SE swell (period 7 secs, energy 111). It’s small and short-period, but at least clean. Still, we’re callin’ “poor surf conditions” so don’t get excited.

From Wednesday the 19th through Wednesday the 26th, it’s a long flat spell. Swell barely touches 2ft, and the combined energy is mostly under 100. Winds are cross or onshore. There’s a clean morning on the 20th with a 2ft swell, and another clean one on the 24th with 1ft, but you’re paddlin’ for knee-high dribble.

Then on Thursday the 27th of August, we get a pulse. Swell hits about 5ft from the NE, but the period is a short 6 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 275 – that’s moderate. Winds are light from the ESE, keepin’ it cross-off and clean. The comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and the score is a 1 out of 10. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but it’s short-period and not the right direction for the break. That afternoon drops to 3ft.

From Friday the 28th through Sunday the 31st, we’re back to tiny, weak swell under 2ft with onshore or glassy winds. There are glassy mornings on the 29th and 30th, but the swell is only 2ft from the SE with a period of 8-9 seconds and energy below 120. Flatter than a pancake.

So, the standout? There isn’t one. If you’re really itchin’, Tuesday the 18th morning and Thursday the 27th morning are your best shots – and they’re both poor. This is a typical dry spell for the area. Forecasts can shift, but right now, leave the board at home.

- Rusty

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